Vendo Junior Coin Box Question

[ClassicCokeLover]

On my Vendo Junior coin box, there are two sight glasses. One on top for the "sold out" flag, and one on the back side that is secured with a lock and a red flag is attached inside. It makes no contact whatsoever with any operating parts on the coin mechanism. What purpose does is serve?

See attached link for pics.

http://s397.photobucket.com/user/loopcross/media/Vendo%20Junior%20Coin%20Box/IMG_0003_zpsede628a3.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

[Creighton]

Can't help with the purpose.
Any chance it's just attached backwards then once installed correctly works as intended?
Made that error about a hundred times :-)
Creighton

 

[kbareit]

This is just a guess. It might be there to show if the lock is latched or not.

[ClassicCokeLover]

This lock and flag looks to serve no purpose.
The coin box tower is secured by three thumb screws from beneath the lid. That area is accessed by unlocking the two locks on the surface of the machine, raising the lid, removing the coin box tray, and reaching in to unscrew the thumb screws. This allows the coin box tower to be removed allowing access to the coin mechanism.

[toolbox]

Here’s a dumb idea that Vendo may have tried for a short period of time.
Maybe your cover didn’t attach from underneath with thumb-screws. If the thumb-screws were replaced with studs that your cover just sat over, then when the lock and arm was turned horizontally the arm would come against a flange on the solid attachment base and lock the cover in place. The second window was so you could see that it was locked.
This would make it a lot easier to remove the cover for servicing and adjustments.
How does your cover attach to the top?
Have a good one.

[MoonDawg]

         I think that may be the best answer. After Vendo realized that the lock and it's hold down were not secure enough to to keep out the vandals, they added the brackets to new production units without modifying the entire cover?

[toolbox]

Hey ClassisCokeLover – I’d be very interested in knowing where your serial number is located on your Junior. If it’s on the back flange of the coin mech base bracket that would be a 1939 or 1940 unit. Maybe its ‘rear-window’ is another feature only on those models. Appreciate it if you could let us know. Thanks!
Have a good one.

[collecture]

I’d be very interested in knowing where your serial number is located on your Junior. If it’s on the back flange of the coin mech base bracket that would be a 1939 or 1940 unit.

I have worked on or owned around 10 of the Vendo 123, 139, 159 type coin mechs and the serial number has always been on the pull rod.

[ClassicCokeLover]

My machine has the serial number 42830 on the pull rod handle. Have no idea if anyone has reference material showing the serial number progression through the years of manufacture.

[toolbox]

Hey ClassicCokeLover,
In researching for ‘The’ Guide I came across the answer to your question. I found it in a 1941 Cooler Manual that I had purchased from Fun-Tronics. Here’s what it said ; “THE VENDO WATCH DOG is a simple counter attachment which counts each coin as it drops into the money box. Totalizer is at back of coin mechanism cover. Shutter conceals total from unauthorized persons without the counter key. This attachment must be specified on your order – it can not be installed in the field.” The illustration with it does show the back of the cover, just like yours.
I’d double-check your coin mech. to see if it had the counter at the back. As you can tell, this feature is a real rarity.
Hope this helps.
Ted